A Twist in Time

by Brent A. Harris

Dickens Meets Steampunk. Foundlings are disappearing from the workhouse where Oliver Twist once begged for a second bowl of gruel. He sets out to save them, with help from tinkerer, Nell Trent, and a slew of fantastical contraptions - including a mysterious pocket watch that allows its bearer to bend the rules of time. With Oliver's childhood nemesis, the Artful Dodger and her lethal bag of tricks dogging their steps, he discovers that there is more at stake than his own life and the missing orphans. Can he save London from the flames?

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2020

About the author

Brent A Harris is a Sidewise Award nominated author of alternate history. He also writes science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Previously published works can be found through Insomnia Publishing, Rivenstone Press, Rhetoric Askew, and Inklings Press, the latter having published his short story, Twilight of the Mesozoic Moon, which reaped the Sidewise Award nomination.

He is the author of A Time of Need, an alternate history of the American Revolution, which sees a world where George Washington fights alongside the British against American forces marshaled under a power-hungry Benedict Arnold.

His newest book is a steampunk take on classic Dickens' characters in A Twist in Time.

Brent A Harris resides in Southern California, where he's become convinced that Joshua trees are in fact, real trees. When not writing, he focuses on his family, shuttling children around as a stay-at-home dad, and staying up late to write after they are nestled in their beds.

Reviews

[Jane Jago · Rating 4 out of 5]

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What happens when a pickpocket steals a watch that proves to be more than just a watch? Or. Equally. How would Oliver Twist fare in a steampunk world? Or. What if the Artful Dodger was a girl?
These are just some of the sort of questions I think Brent A.Harris was asking himself when he begun A Twist in Time.
He weaves a clever mashup of Dickensian London’s grimness with the bright inconsequence that is steampunk - and it works.
For me, the drawing of the characters was the outstanding feature of this novel. That and the light handed world building.
I was less fond of the time slips at the beginning of the book. They jarred me out of my comfort zone, but not really in a good way. However, I persevered and I was glad I did. This book grows on you.
There’s a good storyline acted out by characters one comes to care about and a nifty twisty end.
Brent has a nice grasp of language and his writing style is clean and clever.
I’d happily give this book four stars and recommend it as an entertaining read.

[E.M. Swift-Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dickens Goes Steampunk – With Time Travel Too!

When Oliver Twist is caught having stolen a watch from its owner, he expects to pay the ultimate price for theft. But Mr Brownlow has other ideas and the street urchin Oliver finds himself swept up into a new life which includes adventure, romance and time-travel.

What I enjoyed:
The atmosphere. The author really summons up a steampunk feel – the mix of the squalor of nineteenth-century London and the extraordinary magical technology.
The writing style. Often drawn into poetic prose, the book is a delight to read for the way it uses language.
The characters. These are all well crafted and are what make the story come alive. They are all engaging, believable and very well drawn. Knowing a bit about their Dickensian precursors adds to the delight.
The end. A wonderful extra twist in time, which is very much worthwhile.

What I Struggled With:
The beginning. This is a book that starts three times. The first chapter begins with what seems to be a ‘story present’ prologue – but isn’t really. Then we meet Oliver as a child and that finishes when we are told he has a time travel event – but not what that event is or what happens. Then the story suddenly starts again with Oliver as an adult. It is very disjointed and makes the book hard to get into.

Overall:
Once past the choppy opening, this is a wonderful tale for teens and older who love steampunk, time travel and thundering good adventure stories.

[Zachry Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens meets Steampunk. That’s the first line in the description of A Twist in Time, the latest novel by Brent A. Harris. I mean seriously, what more do you want? Why yes, sir, I would like some more. (And by that, I mean I clicked the "Buy" button.)

Brent A. Harris is a talented writer of alternate history, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. He first grabbed my attention with A Time of Need, an AH tale where George Washington fights for the British. Harris has a unique talent for intriguing premises, so I was instantly hooked by a time-traveling adventure featuring Oliver Twist.

This story focuses on a grown-up Oliver trying to save a group of orphans who have vanished from his old workhouse. With the help of tinkerer Nell Trent, he sets out to solve the mystery by use of a pocket watch that allows him to travel through time. The pacing is very good and hooks the reader from a fiery first chapter. From there, it gallops through tense encounters and gripping action while trying to dodge the Artful Dodger (rimshot).

Harris also has a talent for dialogue. The period speak is very effective without bogging down the reader. All too often, period pieces can leave the reader scratching their head while the narrator carries on to the next section. Not so here. Harris steers the reader through each scene while allowing them to intuit meaning from the tone. It’s a difficult balance to achieve, and the author seems to strike it with ease. It’s quite apparent that a lot of care and research went into this novel. In addition, the quirks and traits of each character are clearly defined in their speech. As a result, many exchanges between Oliver/Nell and Oliver/Dodger stick out as highlights of the book.

The use of humor is subtle and sharp. Some of Oliver’s random one-liners actually made me laugh out loud. I also enjoyed the Groundhog Day approach to time travel, especially during pivotal scenes. There is a very clever twist (rimshot x2) hidden within the plot device, which I found to be an effective and rewarding reveal.

Overall, A Twist in Time is a delightful tale with a lot of heart. Harris has managed to give even more depth to these beloved Dickens characters, an impressive feat that should be cherished and celebrated. I really enjoyed this book and can recommend it to any and all readers. There is something for everyone, so sit back and strap in for a satisfying adventure.

[Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey into Victorian England with a new fresh ‘Twist’.
Oliver Twist never looked so good. As far as I know, before this, he’s never been a vigilante either.
I’ll be very honest and say at the beginning of this novel, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the story. But by the end, I was won over. Having never been a super fan of steampunk, I found this book refreshing and a delightful change from the usual offerings of the genre. Oliver turns out to be a worthy hero for the story, protecting the orphans of the city and rising to the challenge.
While there were a few questions left over at the end of the novel, they lead on into the next book in the series and do not lead to a cliffhanger. All in all, it leaves you wishing to read the next in the series. Though the book is technically YA, the plot arc is by no means juvenile. It is perfect for adults and teens alike.
Well done, Mr. Harris.

[C.L. Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Twist in Time is the first book by Brent A. Harris that I've had the pleasure to read, but I guarantee it won't be the last! The premise of a time-traveling Dickens retelling is already intriguing, but I was so glad to find the characters were likable, the gadgets were clever, and the plot never slowed! The dialogue exchanges were witty, though there were a few modern word usages that kind of threw me, but not enough to take away from the wonderfully crafted story.
I look forward to reading more by this author!

[Richard Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun if you like Dickens.

[Ricardo Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great work by an upcoming star in the realm of alternate history narratives. In his second novel, Brent A. Harris has brought Dickens to the 21st century. A Twist in Time is fast-paced, action-packed, and still a heartfelt tale of a young man returning to his roots to provide others like his former self a new future amidst the intrigue and corruption that populates this steampunk version of the Dickensian London.

The book has a cinematic sense to it, in the vein of Guy Ritchie’s hectic camera work and forays into adapting classic tales to modern sensibilities. Actually, this book could easily be adapted by Ritchie. However is the characterization of the main three characters: Oliver Twist, Nell Trent, and their antagonist, the Artful Dodger (here in a female version of the character). The three of them feel like real persons with a complicated backstory between them, that resembles at times a tragic romantic triangle. But this ain’t a love story. Rather is the tale of a young man that decides to become the hero he didn’t have to look up to when he was a child, using wondrous contraptions to move around a city in peril. Main among said objects is a mysterious pocket watch that allows Oliver to bend and twist the flow of time to his will, giving him the chance to correct things that went wrong and… I won’t say more because it would be a spoiler.

Let’s just say that this book showcases Harris’ skills as an author: layered plots, well-defined themes, and great characterization. If you are into steampunk, YA, or new takes on old classics, this book is for you. It’s the adventure of a lifetime.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Twist in Time

If anyone likes time travel stories this book is for you. Twist is a good name in the title for it sure can twist your mind around.

[Geoff Habiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a rare thing to come across a book that grabs your attention so fully that you want to stop everything else so you can finish the story. A Twist in Time, the new novel from Brent A. Harris, is one such book. Enter one Oliver Twist, a young orphan taken in by the friendly, helpful Artful Dodger and taught the ways of the street as a pick pocket. Oh, you think you’ve heard this story before? If you took a high school English class you probably did, but this is not the Oliver Twist we know from Dickens. This is a London that has the gleam of punk added onto the burgeoning age of steam. It is on these altered Victorian streets that the young Oliver ply’s his trade as a pick pocket, but the pocket watch Oliver just stole will change his life. Jump forward ten years and Oliver has become, not quite a gentleman, but lives a comfortable life and has some modicum of fame from Dickens novel. (Yes, some fourth wall busting here, and I love it.) He’s trying to help others like himself, the young orphans of the city, although poverty and indifference make this a daunting task. But orphans in the city have gone missing, and when Oliver makes a visit to the old Foundling Workhouse where he’d grown up, one of the young orphans that Oliver has tried to save is taken. Oliver gives chase and soon finds himself out of his depth, sliding toward a future he has little control over. As Oliver continues to dig and pry, he uncovers a fiendish plot to reshape London. Oliver might be able to stop this plot and save the city if he can embrace his past and who he really is.

There are so many things I love about this book. A steampunk adventure that involves some of literature’s best known characters AND involves time travel – sign me up. But that’s not the main reason I love A Twist in Time (it’s a good reason, but not the only one). Brent Harris has a wonderful way with words, making them dance and sing to bring the story to life. For example: “In the evening, gaslights mourn, there isn’t a dry spot on the walks to be found to sleep on; dampness clings to you like a cloak, ice and snow paralyze the city in place.” Or: “The two made for an interesting sight, two desperate street urchins showing the truth of Victorian life.” This descriptive narrative is intermixed with Victorian slang and a sprinkling of humor in a lively prose.

Harris has also created characters we want to care about. He has taken a character you thought you knew, Oliver Twist, and shown us a young man who’s gliding through life, trying to do the right thing, but unsure of who he really is. Oliver is torn between the many roles and personas he was – poor orphan boy, street urchin – and the person he has become, and who he thinks he needs to be. Oliver is surrounded by people who constantly remind him of these different personas. Edward, a young orphan that Oliver is trying to protect, reminds Oliver of his past life, as does the Artful Dodger, and each reflects the different people Oliver had been. Mr. Brownlow, Oliver’s benefactor and mentor, ties Oliver to the ease and comfort provided by his fame and wealth. As the story progresses, we see Oliver struggle, trying to come to terms of who he is: orphan, urchin, or gentleman. The other characters are just as developed. Nell is a rock for Oliver, keeping him grounded and on track, and serving as mentor and trainer. The Artful Dodger, Jill Dawkins, is a free spirit and a force of chaos, constantly reminding Oliver where he came from and how disappointing his life has become. Each seems to tug and pull Oliver, both adding to his struggle for identity and helping him to resolve who he must become to save the city.

Great characters are only part of a good formula, you also need a good story. And again, Harris has delivered. A Twist in Time’s plot jumps and weaves as gracefully as the Artful Dodger slips away from trouble. The action and pace move at a cinematic clip, and new revelations and changes to the plot are peppered throughout to keep you turning the page. The final twist in the story might be anticipated by a few sharp readers, but it ties the entire story together.

In A Twist in Time Brent Harris has delivered a masterpiece of steampunk action-adventure fused with Victorian science fiction. He’s created an alternative literary history for characters we thought we knew and who will grab our attention just as much as the originals do. This is a story that Charles Dickens himself would enjoy.

[Rob Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Twist in Time, the latest novel from Brent A Harris, takes some familiar Dickens characters and locations and adds in a layer of Steampunk. Oliver Twist pickpockets a time-travelling pocket watch and his life changes direction yet again! Overall the result is an engaging mix of the familiar and the strange.

This is not a stodgy Dickens pastiche. It’s a an ambitious, genre-spanning re-imagining of Dickens’s London with time travel, steampunk and a splash of the superheroic. There’s plenty of action, a dastardly villain with an evil plot and a satisfyingly explosive finale.

Harris has done his research, and there’s plenty of period detail on show, but there’s no getting away from the sense that this is an English classic tackled by a modern American writer. That’s neither a positive, nor a negative, by the way, it’s just a thing. If that sounds like your kind of thing, then I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

There are, however, a couple of things I have to mark it down for. The book is largely told first person, but with occasional asides in third person. While they do give some insight into the supporting cast, for me they undercut the pacing of the narrative and completely break immersion. These sections are short, but distracting. The other negative may be a misunderstanding on my part, as certain elements of the villain’s dastardly plan don’t make sense to me. Often the way with villainous plans, of course, but the practicalities of the plan left me scratching my head on more than one occasion.

Make no mistake though, those quibbles aside, I thoroughly enjoyed delving into Harris’s imagining of this world. We learn with Oliver as the mystery unravels, we get some entertaining training montages, some clever play with time travel, and an epic conclusion.

Recommended with 4 stars.

[Leo McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a story and you think how on Earth did no one thing of doing this before? With A Twist In Time, Brent A Harris delivers a book I can only wish I could have thought of.

You know Oliver Twist. Yes, that one. The orphan. That young chap that Dickens created, the one that said in the musical "Please, sir, can I have some more?"

Well, Brent Harris gives him more. And then some. A Twist in Time tells the story of a grown-up Oliver, the orphan made good, one who looks out for the children that tread the same path he did.

When some of those orphans start disappearing, Oliver sets out to save them, aided by Nell Trent and a host of steampunk-style gadgets. Most fascinating of all is the pocket watch he can use to turn back time, giving him a second chance when he needs it most.

Facing a gender-flipped Artful Dodger, Oliver begins to unravel the mystery of the disappearing children - uncovering a threat that is far bigger than he could have imagined.

This is rollicking fun as a book, and it really zips by. Taking the Victoriana element of steampunk and welding it onto the world of Oliver Twist is a genius move, and taking the frail scrap that was Oliver and turning him into the forged steel of his adult self hits the mark perfectly.

I really enjoyed this - and it's set up nicely for future stories in this same world. Delightful.

[Daphne Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Twist in Time puts a great twist on Dickens' classic story.  Harris keeps the beloved characters they are just 10 years further down the road.  The steampunk twist brings in many fun new inventions including a timepiece that allows the user to bend the rules of time. It gives Oliver a chance to right some wrongs and find out what is happening to the foundlings that are going missing and why. Things are never what they seem in this imaginative retelling of an old tale. 

[Brent Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for alternate literary history with a taste of steampunk and a new twist to a classic character, then I hope you'll enjoy A Twist in Time. --Brent

[Tess DeGroot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dickens meets Steampunk with a splash of time travel. A breathless adventure in through the streets of Victorian London. An enjoyable read.